-part of larger $254M project
THE refurbished Golden Grove pump station on the East Coast Demerara was commissioned last Wednesday by Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud, who disclosed that the station is only one component of a larger $254M project. “It is part of our overall effort of going back to those communities and resuscitating and revitalizing the drainage systems, in areas where persons have not farmed for more than 30 years,” Persaud said.
He disclosed that there would be other such projects implemented in areas along the East Coast of Demerara including Victoria, which will also serve to enhance the drainage capacity in those communities in  preparation for the upcoming rainy season.
As to the necessity of resuscitating and rehabilitating such infrastructure, Persaud stated: “This is about correcting neglect across our coast, because of the lack of foresight infrastructures such as the pumps and sluices were neglected.”
He highlighted that a “twin track approach “will be used to accomplish this, which includes the rehabilitation of infrastructures that were neglected and simultaneously installing and expanding capacity.
“This reflects corrective action, as for many years it has not been functioning, this is a clear demonstration of the recognition by our government to take the necessary steps to minimize the impact of flooding,” he stressed.
In addition to this, the Agriculture Minister pointed out that the project is also aimed at encouraging more young people to become involved in farming, since it has been observed that the farming population has aged considerably over the years.
According to Persaud, with younger persons involved in the sector, Guyana will be better equipped to deal with the global food crisis that is confronting humanity by sustaining our food supplies and by developing economic opportunities and jobs from resources within agriculture.
He said: “With the projected increase in population, there will be growing demand on countries such as ours to produce; we see it as part of our vision to invest in communities such as this, and to[work] with our farmers in bringing available land  under cultivation.”
Such programmes will also be implemented in Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne), Region 5 (Mahaica/Berbice), Region 2(Pomeroon/Supenaam) and in hinterland communities, he added.
Persaud emphasised that the investment in  rehabilitation of the pump is also aimed at preparing communities to deal with the effects of climate change by making them resilient.
“We have to deal with the day-to-day reality as we are just coming out of  La Nina and countries in the Caribbean are still grappling with the effects of this weather pattern and other natural disasters brought on by climate change, so with the limited resources that we have we have to seek all means possible of preparing communities,” Persaud declared
He observed that there would be questions as to the importance of investing in such infrastructure as opposed to sluices and pointed out that pumps will be utilised to complement the drainage system in the communities, which will in turn allow the coastline and farming communities to be more climate resilient.

Other Initiatives
In addition to providing infrastructure, the Ministry of Agriculture has also embarked on a land-clearing programme in communities across the East Coast, to provide farmers with the resources to clear the land and put it into productive use.
Persaud explained that the initiative, which was started in Buxton and which will be expanded in Region Two, providing the necessary resources are available, is aimed at providing additional support and incentive for farmers.
In this regard, he encouraged the residents and farmers present to care and protect the infrastructure provided, which will serve to benefit many families and increase productivity in the community.
“This is another investment in the future, as Guyana continues to be a major food provider we are making the sector more resilient and making our national economy much more stable by being able to produce and provide more for our people,” Persaud exhorted.
Chief Executive Officer, National Drainage, and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), Lionel Wordsworth, explained that the programme was approached in two components in order to achieve the complete rehabilitation being aimed for.
“In addition to this, the NDIA would have rehabilitated  75 miles of drains and canals so this station which has been rehabilitated to restore its design capacity, will ensure that we have amore reliable service,” Wordsworth said.
He explained that the project forms part of the entire drainage and irrigation plan for Region Four (Demerara/Mahaica), which will soon include the construction of a $200 million new Pumping Station at Greenfield on the East Coast of Demerara, which will be equipped with two pumps.
In addition to this, he noted that a number of these important drainage structures have also been resuscitated across the region in an effort to improve  services.
Wordsworth also explained that NDIA has adopted new criteria for building drainage structures.
“The system was built to accommodate an inch and a half of rainfall in 24 hours but now we are building our structures no less than 2.5 inches of rainfall in 24 hours,” he explained.
He noted that all of the updates and programmes are made at improving drainage and irrigation as part of the Ministry of Agriculture’s services and development in Guyana.
Meanwhile, the community members gathered thanked the Minster of Agriculture for the investment in the region and the community and noted that it will be beneficial to everyone there.